A Study in Tenacity: My Son, the Graduate

On By Lady GIn People and Populations, Uncategorized

With degree
My Son with his Degree from Emory University in Atlanta Georgia
When he left for college…

We prayed for him.

We encouraged him.

We guided him.

We supported him.

We cheered for him.

We consoled him.

We pushed him.

We pulled him.

We LOVED him…

But the one thing that we could not do was go to school for him.

 

Nevertheless, we did all that we could.

And now…

After enduring any number of set backs, this young man soldiered on and did the DAMN thang!

He NEVER gave up!

And we expected nothing less.

So, please join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of my beloved son.

First, a word about his alma mater, Emory University.

Emory is a private university, nestled within the tony Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta, GA–actually it’s more so Decatur but anyway….. 🙂

The University was ranked by The Wall Street Journal as number 17 of 500 US national private and public universities.

It is the only University in Georgia to make the top 20.

Some notable alumni include, Robert W. Woodruff of Coca-Cola fame.  In fact, Mr. Woodruff’s family and charitable foundation remain huge supporters of the University.

Other notable alumni include:

Dr. Bernice King (Daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Robert Jones (Professional Golfer and Father of The Masters Golf Tournament)

Kenneth Cole (Famous Designer)

Notable Faculty include:

39th U.S. President, James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr.

19th U.S. Poet Laureate, Natasha Trethewey

His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama

It is also important to note that Emory University Hospital accepted and cared for American physician and Ebola patient, Dr. Kent Brantly back in 2014.

So….

I’d say, this kid was in good company huh?

But seriously, I am so proud of my sweet boy—now young man!

That said, we don’t get to celebrate the accomplishments of African-American men very often, so please indulge me as I do that here.

Here is a short video and a collage of pics.

First, a 30 second video of the Graduation Processional.

The music was provided by Atlanta Pipe Band.

Bag Pipes!  YAAAAAYYY!!!

 

Additional program music was provided by The Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet.

 

 

Mama loves you Rod!  And in the words of the great Theodor Geisel aka Dr. Seuss, “Oh the places you’ll go!”

Oh the places

Thanks for allowing me to share this with you.  Please be sure to comment and offer any words of advice to my son as he starts a new chapter in his life!

Love and light to you all!

Lady G

😘💋

 

 

 

 

71 thoughts on “A Study in Tenacity: My Son, the Graduate”

  1. Pingback: Storytime: Children Helping Children-I Didn’t Have Enough Fingers! – Seek The Best Blog

  2. Pingback: Storytime: I Didn’t Have Enough Fingers! – Seek The Best Blog

    1. Thank you sweetie! And it’s good to ‘see’ you Tbreeze 🙂
      So yes, Lady G took a picture of the Emory Bus just for you! LOL!!!
      They have tons of buses that run all over the University and throughout the city 🙂
      Chile, we had to take one of those buses after walking about a half mile from a parking deck just to get to the graduation area.
      It’s like a self sustaining little city.

      Like

      Reply
  9. T. Wayne

    Congratulations to your son on his special achievement and congratulations to you and the family for supporting him!

    The only advice I will offer is to remember what got you to this point, and keep it and your family close so that you can lean on them when or if you need to.

    Again, congratulations to the graduate!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you my dear Twin! You were the first to comment on my Instagram post on the morning of his graduation. YAAASSS!
      Honey, Lady G was representing out there in those seats! LOL!!!
      Someone might have yelled “Alright ROD!!!!!!” to the top of her lungs but I shall not reveal who that ‘someone’ might have been! LOL!!!
      But seriously, thank you so much for your advice and for stopping by to wish my baby well!

      Like

      Reply

  10. This is fabulous news Gwin! Congratulations to Rod for being an amazing young man and achieving so much – well done! And congratulations to you for being a first class mom! I couldn’t be more pleased or proud for you.:)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Awww I thank you so much M’Lady ! **offering a courtsey**
      I so appreciate you dropping by to celebrate my dear son with me. It is such a blessing to me and to him to have so many people express pride in him for his accomplishment.
      Again…A thousand thanks to you my sweet! 🌹

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Anonymous

    Bag pipe, sunny skies, mom/dad tassels and a college graduation , OH MY!

    How thrilled I am for Rod ! Congratulation on walking across that stage to pick up what you earned; not only a degree, but a ticket to all the places you will surely go! I, too love Dr. Seuss (or rather, Theodor to some).

    I’m even more delighted that my dearest and oldest friend, Gwin, got to bask in the proud mama light, witnessing the efforts of “her tenacity” as her son accepted his college degree. Y’all both did the DAMN thing!

    Love/Light,
    Gloria D.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. unknown

    CONGRATULATIONS ROD! Mom I know you are on cloud nine. I am so proud of him as if he was my very own. The sky is the limit!
    Enjoy your accomplishments. I am sorry I wasn’t able to be there, Dad is having health issues, but know my heart and mind was there. You can only go up from here! Love you guys!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Oh. My. God. <–I'm only sorry I can't make the font BIGGER for this!!!
    – You had me at Dr. Bernice King!!!!
    – Bagpipes!!! I have goosebumps now – I f**kin' LOVE bagpipes!!! 😀
    – My sincerest congratulations to your fabulous son Rod, Emory University graduate, and I just feel it in my bones that you'll go on to honour that degree.
    – AND my congrats to YOU Gwin and to Dad and whoever else had a hand in it, cuz you did a lotta somethings right, to raise a son who could accomplish this feat. Yay for ALL of you, but especially for Rod!
    ❤ ❤ ❤
    P.S. fab vid and pix!!!
    P.P.S. – As a mom of a son/graduate too, I just can imagine how bursting with pride you feel. Makes me tear up on your behalf – tears of joy! xoxox

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Awww Ellie! That is sooooooooo sweet! And yes those bagpipes were pretty awesome, I hope that you didn’t have any trouble hearing them 🙂
      You just don’t know how much your comment means to me. I will make sure that my son reads all the kind words that you and so many others have said about him.
      And you know I appreciate every word of what you said about me. It really did take a village and unfortunately, two of those villagers could not be there: My late mother and his paternal grandmother who is recovering from heart surgery. But one thing’s for sure, they were there in spirit!
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  17. Love, love this share! My advice to your degree’d son-man: “Always remember who you are and all you have been through when making any tough decisions or carrying out any reaction…it come full circle.” Congratulations! Proud of you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

        1. AWWWW…and you should know! You’ve been there and done that swimmingly with your own successful young men.
          LOL@ the slave thing. I’m still running too. Just when I thought things were settling down….LOL!!! But life is good 🙂
          I’ll be in touch soon 🙂

          Like

  18. You have every right to be proud of your son and we, your friends, celebrate his achievement with you! Too often we hear the down-side of the younger generation – your son has become a role model for those who never made it to the stage for their diploma. Please shake is hand for me and give him my best wishes for a wonderful future!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you for those kind and heartfelt words GP and I will definitely shake his hand for you!
      I pray that this post might serve as inspiration to those who think that they can’t do it because they certainly can!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Woebegone but Hopeful

    Congratulations from across the Water to your son! What a fine example of ‘Keep on Keeping ON’
    He’s going to achieve much I’m sure.
    I bet the old….’You must be so proud’, just doesn’t come close to how you are feeling Gwin.
    Best wishes to Team Gwin!
    Roger

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Roger! How wonderful to receive such warm regards from the UK!
      And yes, I am extra proud!
      By the way, I couldn’t help thinking of you and all of my friends from the Isles as they played those bagpipes during the procession. It was amazing to see and to hear!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Woebegone but Hopeful

        Yes, there’s something about bagpipes.
        The Welsh have the best hymns; the Irish the best Jolly Songs, but when it comes to laments and other solemn occasions…. Ah ye cannae beat the Scots!
        And once more all the very best to your son.
        Give him a firm brit handshake from me!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

    1. Thank you Sis.
      He was a Biology Major and will continue working in one of Emory’s labs for the summer. He is also a ACSM Certified personal trainer- so he will do that as well.
      He plans to go on to medical school later.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

        1. Thanks love! Mama tired now…I can go sit down for a minute. LOL!!!
          Now you see why I try my best to keep up with what’s going on with you and Munch. It’s almost like looking at a mirror of myself and my son from 14 years ago!
          Just stay on your current course and you will be seated at Munch’s college commencement before you know it 🙂 🌹

          Liked by 1 person

        2. LOL. I understand now. Don’t rush it sis. I was hugging him the other day and was telling him that I could see him giving me this same hug when he was 18 and graduating. I cried.

          Liked by 1 person

  22. YAY and congratulations to a fine young man. Yes, he will go far…those places he’ll go, and he will do great things and be an inspiration to others in his circle ❤ I am so excited for you, I can feel your happiness through this post Lady G ❤ YAY and again, sweetest wishes for a bright future and good things ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  25. Oh wow what a wonderful accomplishment! I’m sure you’re super super proud of him! Congratulations to your son and yourself, Gwin! I’m sure he’ll do great things in life. Just tell him to always be himself and follow his dreams. 🎈🎈🎉🎉 The sky is the limit!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I love that Lisa! Thank you girl! I am very proud. I remember when we were just like you and your son. Those days go by so fast! Enjoy them while they last. Thank you for the wonderful advice!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Yes the days do go by so fast! Good luck to him! My baby is going to 6th grade. I’m planning for his brother or sister to show up! Ugh! Lol. This is going to be a stubborn one like mom. 😁

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        3. Gurl!!!! Everybody I know that went through that said it happened when they decided to stop focusing so much on it. Then out of nowhere, they were preggers! LOL!!

          Liked by 1 person

Lady G appreciates your comments ! 💋💋

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.